This is a zine dedicated to crust,d-beat, sludge, harsh noise + related genres, traditional doom metal, gothic metal, thrash/death metal, first wave black metal,noise rock, hardcore, traditional thrash/speed metal, in dustrial metal, power/heavy/progressive metal and alternative metal, also looking for other writers into these genres, due to the fact I cant review 15 promos a day by myself, for more info contact hatredmeanswar@yahoo.com

Monday, February 18, 2013

Stratovarius are a band from Finland that has had their recent album reviewed in this zine with a musical style that I would describe as being symphonic power metal and this is a review of their 2012 Double live album "Under Flaming Skies" which was released by Armoury Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with no blast beats being present on this recording, while the keyboards bring a very symphonic, atmospheric and progressive sound to the recording with some solos being utilized at times, as for the bass playing it has a very strong and powerful sound with heavy riffing that dominates throughout the recording with some bass leads being utilized at times.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast power metal riffs that utilize a great amount of melody in the riffing as well as a brief use of soft and clean playing, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding power metal guitar solos and leads, as for the acoustic guitars when t hey are utilized they use finger picking and full chords to bring a power ballad sound to the recording.

Vocals are all clean singing power metal vocals, while the lyrics cover dark, everyday and fantasy themes, a s for t he production it has a very strong, powerful, heavy and professional sound where you can hear all of the musical instruments that are present on this recording with all of the songs being recorded live.

In my opinion this is a very great sounding live album from Stratovarius and if you are a fan of this band, you should enjoy this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Kiss Of Judas" "Coming Home" "Behind Blue Eyes" which is a Who cover and "Hunting High And Low". RECOMMENDED BUY.